Golf putting practice device, method for practicing putting using same, and method for advertising using same

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a golf putting practice device is provided. The golf putting practice device includes an upper portion for extending from a bottom of a golf cup and being viewable by a golfer during putting practice. A bottom portion is insertable into a socket of the golf cup. A flange is located above the bottom portion and configured to rest on the bottom of the golf cup that surrounds the socket for preventing the bottom portion from extending into the socket beyond a predetermined depth. An elongate portion joins the upper portion and the flange and has a diameter less than the diameter of the golf cup. At least one visual target is located in or on the upper portion of the golf putting practice device for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to golf putting practicedevices, methods for using such devices to practice putting, and methodsfor advertising using such devices. More particularly, the subjectmatter described herein relates to a golf putting practice device, amethod for practicing putting using same, and a method for advertisingusing same.

BACKGROUND

In different sports, aiming and focusing on a target is often criticalsuccess. For example, in tennis, in order to successfully return a bellin bounds, a tennis player must visually focus on the tennis ball or ona portion of the tennis ball before swinging at the ball. Similarly, infootball, baseball, and basketball, it may be desirable to focus on avisual target for throwing or shooting the ball in order for the ball toreach a desired location. The game of golf is no different. For example,golfers often focus tee shots and fairway shots on particular landscapeobjects (e.g., trees, hills, etc.) to send the golf ball in a desireddirection.

One particular area in golf where focusing on a target is critical is inputting and more particularly, in short putting (i.e., putting withinten feet of the hole). In putting, in order to increase the likelihoodthat a golf ball will fall into a golf hole, it is desirable to the puttthe ball so that the ball will enter the hole at or near the center ofthe diameter of the hole. In order for a golfer to successfully putt theball such that the ball will enter the hole at or near the center of thehole diameter, the golfer often selects a target, such as a blade ofgrass or other imperfection on the back side of the hole, aims the faceof the putter in the direction of focus, and putts the ball in thatdirection. By aiming and focusing on the blade of grass or otherimperfection, rather than the entire hole, the golfer increases his orher chances of making a putt.

Current golf putting practice devices are of various types. For example,stationary and portable golf hole devices allow golfers to put at holeseither in the floor or in a raised portion that rests on the floor.Other types of devices include raised targets that rest on the puttingsurface. However, all of these devices lack one or more desirablefeatures, such as a visual target on which a golfer can focus, isinsertable into a standard golf hole, and/or a design which isergonomic, easily portable, and suitable for branding.

Yet another problem in the area of advertising is finding new ways toadvertise to desirable advertising targets. Golfers typically representan important cross section of business communities. Accordingly,entities may desire to market products, services, events or the entitiesthemselves to golfers, for example at golf events, such as golftournaments. It is common practice at golf events to distribute golfrelated products that are branded with company logos. For example, golfballs and golf tees are often branded with company logos and distributedto golfers. One problem with branding golf balls and golf tees is thatthey are often lost or broken by golfers and hence are not permanentlykept by the golfers. Other types of marketing materials that aredistributed at golf events, such as hats or other articles of clothingbranded with company logos, are likewise disposable and have limiteduseful lives. Accordingly, there exists a need for new ways to market aproduct, a service, an entity, or an event to golfers.

In light of these difficulties, there exists a long felt need for a golfputting practice device, a method for practicing putting using same, anda method for advertising using same.

SUMMARY

The subject matter described herein includes a golf putting practicedevice, a method for practicing putting using same, and a method foradvertising using same.

According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a golfputting practice device is provided. The golf putting practice deviceincludes an upper portion for extending upward from a bottom of a golfcup and being viewable by a golfer during putting practice. A bottomportion is insertable into a socket of the golf cup. A flange is locatedabove the bottom portion and configured to rest on the bottom of thegolf cup that surrounds the socket for preventing the bottom portionfrom extending into the socket beyond a predetermined depth. An elongateportion joins the upper portion and the flange and has a diameter lessthan the diameter of the golf cup. At least one visual target is locatedin or on the upper portion of the golf putting practice device forproviding an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice.

According to another aspect, the subject matter described hereinincludes a method for practicing golf putting. The method includesplacing, on a putting surface, a golf putting practice device into agolf cup, the golf putting practice device having an upper portion forextending upward from a bottom of a golf cup and being viewable by agolfer for receiving impact from golf balls during putting practice, abottom portion for inserting into a socket of the golf cup, a flangebeing located above the bottom portion and configured to rest on thebottom of the golf cup that surrounds the socket and configured toprevent the bottom portion from extending into the socket beyond apredetermined depth, and an elongate portion for joining the upperportion and the flange and having a diameter less than the diameter ofthe golf cup. At least one visual target is located in or on the upperportion of the golf putting practice device for providing an area ofvisual focus for a golfer during putting practice. The method furtherincludes visually focusing on the at least one visual target and puttinga golf ball at the elongate portion in a direction corresponding to thefocusing.

According to yet another aspect, the subject matter described hereinincludes a method for advertising at least one of an entity, a product,a service or an event to golfers. The method includes placing logos foran entity, a product, a service, or an event on each of a plurality ofgolf putting practice devices. Each golf putting practice devicecomprises an upper portion for extending upward from a bottom of a golfcup and being viewable by a golfer for receiving impact from golf ballsduring putting practice, a bottom portion for inserting into a socket ofthe golf cup, a flange being located above the bottom portion andconfigured to rest on the bottom of the golf cup that surrounds thesocket and configured to prevent the bottom portion from extending intothe socket beyond a predetermined depth, and an elongate portion forjoining the upper portion and the flange and having a diameter less thanthe diameter of the golf cup. The method further includes distributing aplurality of the golf putting practice devices having the logos togolfers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the subject matter described herein will now beexplained with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf putting practice device according to anembodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf putting practice device accordingto an embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary use of a golf puttingpractice device located in a golf hole by putting a ball on a puttingsurface according to an embodiment of the subject matter describedherein;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for marketing aproduct, a service, an entity, or an event to golfers at a golf eventaccording to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a golf putting practice device inserted into agolf cup according to an embodiment of the subject matter describedherein;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a golf putting practice device according to anembodiment of the subject matter described herein; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a golf putting practice device accordingto an embodiment of the subject matter described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein includes a golf putting practicedevice, a method for practicing putting using same, and a method foradvertising using same.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf putting practice device according to anembodiment of the subject matter described herein. Referring to FIG. 1,golf putting practice device 100 includes an elongate portion 103 forjoining flange 104 and upper portion 106. Upper portion 106 may includethe portion of practice device 100 that protrudes out of golf cup 108and is visible to the golfer during putting practice. Upper portion 106may include an inverted truncated cone shaped portion forming a flarefor directing golf balls downward into the golf cup during puttingpractice. Flange 104 is located above a bottom portion 105 andconfigured to rest on the bottom of golf cup 108 that surrounds a socketfor receiving bottom portion 105. Flange 104 is configured to preventbottom portion 105 from extending into the socket beyond a predetermineddepth. Elongate portion 102 has a diameter less than the diameter ofgolf cup 108.

Flange 104 limits insertion of device 100 into a socket 107 of a golfcup 108. Elongate portion 103 may extend from flange 104 to upperportion 102. Elongate portion 103 may have a lateral dimension such thata difference between the diameter of golf cup 108 and the lateraldimension is less than the diameter of golf ball 109 so that golf ball109 will fall into golf cup 108 when golf ball 109 impacts upper portion102.

Truncated cone shaped portion 106 may include a visual target or logo110 located on a sidewall of inverted truncated cone shaped portion 106.Visual target 110 provides an area of visual focus for a golfer duringgolf putting practice. In addition to, or instead of, being located on asidewall of inverted truncated cone shaped portion 106, visual target110 may be located on an upper facing surface of inverted truncated coneshaped portion 106. FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate different examples ofvisual targets or logos that may be located on inverted truncated coneshaped portion 106.

Golf cup 108 is typically inserted into the ground on a putting green.Golf cup 108 may be a cylinder having a hollow center portion and abottom portion. The hollow center portion may include a cylindricalportion approximately 4.25 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep forreinforcing the edges of the golf hole. The bottom of golf cup 108 mayinclude a concave sloped surface having a central hole or socket forreceiving bottom portion 105 of putting practice device 100. The socketmay be centrally located at the bottom of golf cup 108 may beapproximately 1 inch deep and ½ inch in diameter such that bottomportion 105 snugly fits inside the socket for securing verticalorientation of practice device 100 within the golf hole.

FIG. 1A shows golf putting practice device 100 interacting with golf cup108. Bottom portion 105 may be fully inserted into socket 107 such thatbottom portion 105 tightly engages socket 107. Flange 104 may rest uponthe bottom of golf cup 108 that surrounds central socket for preventingelongate portion 103 from extending into the socket. This allowspractice device 100 to be easily removed and reinserted into golf cup108 and provides for practice device 100 to protrude a consistent heightabove the putting surface so that the golfer may visually focus ontarget 110 and impact upper portion 106 with golf balls during puttingpractice.

The amount that practice device 100 protrudes from golf cup 108 may varywithout departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.For example, the height that practice device 100 protrudes from golf cup108 may range from being substantially flush the plane of the top ofgolf cup 108 to as many as 3 inches from the plane of the top of golfcup 108. A golf putting practice device that is substantially flush withthe top of the golf cup provides a visual target in the center of thehole on which the golfer can focus for short puts. A golf puttingpractice device that extends outward from the golf cup gives golfers avisual target for long puts or puts where the inside of the cup is notviewable.

In illustrated examples illustrated in FIG. 1A, visual target 110comprises the number 2 inside of a circle. However, any suitable visualtarget may be used. For example, visual target 110 may be a logo for anentity, product, service, or event where the golf putting practicedevice is used for advertising purposes. In addition, visual target 110may be painted on practice device 100, etched in practice device 100, oradhered to practice device 100, in the case of a decal. Thus, visualtarget 110 may be any indicia of at least two dimensions on which agolfer can focus during putting practice.

Practice device 100 may be made of any suitable material. Desirablecharacteristics of such a material are low manufacturing costs,durability, and the ability to withstand impact from a golf ball withoutsubstantial movement. For example, it is desirable for a golf ball toimpact upper portion 102 of practice device 100 and fall into the golfhole. Exemplary materials suitable for use as practice device 100include a plastic material, such as polyvinylchloride, wood, or aplastic material with at least some denser material in the core toprovide stability. For example, the core of practice device 100 may befilled with lead or other metallic material. In one implementation,practice device 100 may be formed of a rubberized thermoplastic material(TPM), such as a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) material. Once exampleof a TPV that may be used for practice device 100 is Sanoprene™. Using arubberized material may increase the ability for practice device 100 toreceive impact of golf balls during putting practice. Practice device100 may be formed by any suitable process, such as injection molding orlathing.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein,upper portion 106 may form a flare for directing golf balls downwardinto golf cup 108 during putting practice.

In one embodiment, an average diameter of upper portion 106 may begreater than an average diameter of cylindrical portion 102. Theincreased average diameter of upper portion 106 relative to upperportion 102 may facilitate gripping of practice device 100 by a golfer.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, amaximum diameter of bottom portion 105 may be such as to fit inside areceiving point located at the bottom of a standard golf hole. Forexample, bottom portion 105 may be approximately ½ of an inch indiameter.

In addition, although in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, only asingle visual target 110 is illustrated, visual targets 110 may belocated on opposing sides of upper portion 106. For example, upperportion 106 may include two visual targets located on opposite sides ofupper portion 106 to facilitate orientation of a target within the viewof a golfer during putting practice.

In an exemplary scenario, a golfer may practice putts which travel anon-linear path for arriving at the hole (hereinafter, “putts withbreak” or “breaking putts”). Therefore, in order to successfully puttthe ball into the hole, the golfer must not aim directly at the hole,but rather must aim at a point outside the hole so that the trajectoryof the putt will curve into a side portion of the hole. For a puttcurving in only one direction, the golfer may aim at the apex of theperceived curve or tangent to the curve in order to successfully puttthe ball in the hole. It is appreciated that putts which curve inmultiple directions before arriving at the hole may be aimed in asimilar manner by examining a combination of component curves in theputt. One advantage of the practice device 100 includes the ability torotate visual target 110 within a golf hole in order to correspond withthe entry location of a ball for breaking putts. As a result, asuccessfully putted golf ball having a break may still directly impactvisual target 110 when target 110 is rotated within the golf hole tocorrespond with the vector of entry of the golf ball.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are illustrations of additional alternative logos forplacing on the top surface of the putting practice device describedherein. The logo shown in FIG. 1B includes the word “PLAY” located abovethe number “2” surrounded by a circle and the word “WIN” located belowthe number “2” surrounded by the circle. Read vertically from top tobottom, the logo comprises the phrase “PLAY 2 WIN”™. FIG. 1C illustratesa logo comprising a “2” surrounded by a circle. It is appreciated thatthe logo shown in FIG. 1C is similar to visual target 110, but larger insize. It is further appreciated that the area encompassed by the number“2” and the area surrounding the number “2” may be shaded with a varietyof colors and/or materials and configured in combination so as toenhance the visibility and contrast of the logo.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf putting practice device accordingto an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. In FIG. 2, topfacing surface 110 is substantially flat for receiving a logo, which, inthe illustrated example, is a “2” surrounded by a circle. However, anysuitable logo may be placed on upper surface 110 to market a product, aservice, an entity, or an event to golfers at a golf event. An exemplarymethod for marketing a product, a service, an entity, or an event togolfers at a golf event will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of practice device 100 and a golf ball 109located on a putting surface 300. In order to use practice device 100for practicing putting, a golfer 302 may place practice device 100 on aputting surface, such as a green or carpet. Golfer 302 may then puttmultiple balls 109 towards practice device 100 by visually focusing ontarget 110, adjusting the angle of the putter blade based on thedirection of focus, returning to focus on the ball, and then completingthe putt by impacting the ball with the blade so that the ball travelsin the direction of focus of target 110. If the putt is successful, theball will impact target 110 on practice device 100 and fall into thegolf hole. If the putt is unsuccessful, the ball will come to rest onputting surface 300. When golfer 302 completes putting practice, golfer302 can easily grip practice device 100 via upper portion 106 and liftpractice device 100 from putting surface 300. Thus, upper portion 106may provide an ergonomic design that increases the portability ofpractice device 100.

The subject matter described herein also includes methods for practicingputting using a golf putting practice device the subject matterdescribed herein includes a method for practicing golf putting, themethod includes placing, on a putting surface, a practice device 100having an upper portion 106 protruding out of a golf cup 108 andviewable by a golfer for receiving impact from golf balls 109 duringputting practice. A bottom portion 105 is insertable into a socket ofgolf cup 108. A flange 104 is located above the bottom portion 105 andconfigured to rest on the bottom of the golf cup 108 that surrounds thesocket for preventing bottom portion 105 from extending into the socketbeyond a predetermined depth. Elongate portion 102 joins upper portion106 and flange 104 and has a diameter less than the diameter of golf cup108. At least one visual target 110 is located in or on one of the topsurface 110 and the upper portion 106 of the golf putting practicedevice 100 for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer duringputting practice. The method further includes putting a golf ball at thepractice device 100. The method further includes visually focusing onthe at least one visual target 110 and putting a golf ball at practicedevice 100 in a direction corresponding to the focusing.

As stated above, a golf putting practice device may be used to market aproduct, a service, an entity or event to golfers. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for marketing a product, aservice, an entity, or an event to golfers. Referring to FIG. 4, inblock 400, a logo for an entity, a product, a service, or an event isplaced on each of a plurality of golf putting practice devices, eachincluding a top facing surface of upper portion 106 and a continuoussidewall portion of portion 102 for receiving a logo or visual target.The logo may be a company logo, a college or university logo, a sportsorganization or team logo, a product or service logo, a geographic logo,an event logo, etc. The logo may be placed on top surface 110 or upperportion 106 of practice device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 above.

In block 402, the golf putting practice device is distributed togolfers. Distributing the golf putting practice device to golfers mayinclude distributing the device to golfers through any suitabledistribution channel. For example, the golf putting practice device maybe distributed at registration for a golf event without charge togolfers. Distributing the device without charge means that substantiallyall of the golfers in the golf event will receive a golf puttingpractice device and will likely keep the golf putting practice device.In addition, unlike disposable media, such as golf balls or articles ofclothing that can be branded with a logo at a golf event, a golf puttingpractice device is more likely to be kept by a golfer and repeatedlyused for putting practice. In another example, a university, a sportsteam, or other organization may sell golf putting practice devicesbranded with their respective logos over the Internet or in a brick andmortar retail store.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a golf putting practice device inserted into agolf cup according to an alternate embodiment of the subject matterdescribed herein. Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of golfputting practice device 100 is shown wherein flange 104 includes atruncated inverted cone shaped portion having a shape suitable forfitting at the bottom of golf cup 108. Thus, when golf ball 109 isputted into golf cup 108, golf ball 109 may rest within and on top offlange 104 such that when golf putting practice device is removed fromgolf cup 108, golf ball 109 may be easily removed simultaneously.

According to one aspect, flange 104 and bottom portion 105 may bedetachable from elongate portion 103 and upper portion 106. Elongateportion 103 may attach to flange 104 by, for example, a screwingmechanism or other suitable method without departing from the scope ofthe subject matter described herein. By being separable into two parts,golf putting practice device 100 may be highly portable. Additionally,different configurations of flange 104 may be attached to elongateportion 103 for fitting into golf cups 108 of varying sizes and/orshapes.

According to another aspect, flange 104 may be adjustable along thelength of elongate portion 103 for varying the portion 102 of golfputting practice device 100 visible above the lip of golf cup 108. Anadvantage to adjusting flange 104 may include locating visual target 110at an optimal height above the putting surface for receiving impact fromgolf ball 109 during putting practice when the depth of golf cup 108 isnon-standard. For example, if golf cup 108 is shallow such that thebottom of golf cup 108 is close to the putting surface (i.e., dependingon soil condition and composition), flange 104 may be adjusted relativeto elongate portion 103 in order to maintain a desired height 102 abovethe putting surface. Similarly, if golf cup 108 is deep, flange 104 maybe extended so as to maintain a consistent height above the puttingsurface.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a golf putting practice device according to anembodiment of the subject matter described herein. Referring to FIG. 6,golf putting practice device 100 includes an elongate portion 103 forjoining flange 104 and upper portion 106. Upper portion 106 may includean inverted truncated cone shaped portion forming a flare for directinggolf balls downward into the golf cup during putting practice. Flange104 is located above a bottom portion 105 and configured to rest on thebottom of golf cup 108 that surrounds a socket for receiving bottomportion 105. Flange 104 is configured to prevent bottom portion 105 fromextending into the socket beyond a predetermined depth.

Flange 104 limits insertion of device 100 into a socket 107 of a golfcup 108. Elongate portion 103 may extend from flange 104 to upperportion 102. Elongate portion 103 may have a lateral dimension such thata difference between the diameter of golf cup 108 and the lateraldimension is less than the diameter of golf ball 109 so that golf ball109 will fall into golf cup 108 when golf ball 109 impacts upper portion102.

Truncated cone shaped portion 106 may include a visual target or logo110 located on a sidewall of inverted truncated cone shaped portion 106.Visual target 110 provides an area of visual focus for a golfer duringgolf putting practice. In addition to, or instead of, being located on asidewall of inverted truncated cone shaped portion 106, visual target110 may be located on an upper facing surface of inverted truncated coneshaped portion 106.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a golf putting practice device accordingto an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. As describedabove with respect to FIG. 3, in order to use practice device 100 forpracticing putting, a golfer may place practice device 100 on a puttingsurface, such as a green or carpet. The golfer may then putt multipleballs 109 towards practice device 100 by visually focusing on target110, adjusting the angle of the putter blade based on the direction offocus, returning to focus on the ball, and then completing the putt byimpacting the ball with the blade so that the ball travels in thedirection of focus of target 110. If the putt is successful, the ballwill impact target 110 on practice device 100 and fall into the golfhole. If the putt is unsuccessful, the ball will come to rest on theputting surface. Upon completing putting practice, the golfer can easilygrip practice device 100 via upper portion 106 and lift practice device100 from the putting surface. Thus, upper portion 106 may provide anergonomic design that increases the portability of practice device 100.

It will be understood that various details of the presently disclosedsubject matter may be changed without departing from the scope of thepresently disclosed subject matter. Furthermore, the foregoingdescription is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for thepurpose of limitation.

1. A golf putting practice device for use in conjunction with a golfcup, the golf putting practice device comprising: an upper portion forextending upward from a bottom of a golf cup and being viewable by agolfer during putting practice, a bottom portion for inserting into asocket of the golf cup, a flange being located above the bottom portionand configured to rest on the bottom of the golf cup that surrounds thesocket and configured to prevent the bottom portion from extending intothe socket beyond a predetermined depth, and a elongate portion forjoining the upper portion and the flange and having a lateral dimensionless than the diameter of the golf cup; and at least one visual targetlocated in or on the upper portion of the golf putting practice devicefor providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during puttingpractice.
 2. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein theupper surface is configured for receiving an advertising logo.
 3. Thegolf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein the at least one visualtarget comprises an indicia of at least two dimensions that is visuallydistinguishable from a remainder of the upper portion and the elongateportion.
 4. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein thevisual target comprises a logo for at least one of an entity, a product,a service, or an event.
 5. The golf putting practice device of claim 1wherein the at least one visual target includes a circle.
 6. The golfputting practice device of claim 1 wherein the upper portion comprisesan inverted truncated cone shaped portion and wherein the at least onevisual target is located on a sidewall of the inverted truncated coneshaped portion.
 7. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 whereinthe upper portion comprises an inverted truncated cone shaped portionand wherein the at least one visual target is located on a top-facingsurface of the inverted truncated cone shaped portion.
 8. The golfputting practice device of claim 1 wherein a difference between thelateral dimension of the elongate portion and a radius of the golf cupis greater than a diameter of the golf ball so that the golf ball willfall into the golf cup after impacting the upper portion.
 9. The golfputting practice device of claim 1 wherein the upper portion forms aflare for directing golf balls downward into the golf cup.
 10. The golfputting practice device of claim 1 wherein the flange holds the upperportion a consistent height above the putting surface.
 11. The golfcutting practice device of claim 1 wherein the flange is shaped forretrieval of golf balls from the golf cup.
 12. The golf putting practicedevice of claim 1 wherein the upper portion protrudes outward from a topof the golf cup.
 13. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 whereinthe upper portion is substantially flush with a top of the golf cup. 14.A method for practicing golf putting, the method comprising: placing, ona putting surface, an upper portion protruding upward from a bottom of agolf cup and being viewable by a golfer during putting practice, abottom portion for inserting into a socket of the golf cup, a flangebeing located above the bottom portion and configured to rest on thebottom of the golf cup that surrounds the socket and configured toprevent the bottom portion from extending into the socket beyond apredetermined depth, and a elongate portion for joining the upperportion and the flange and having a diameter less than the diameter ofthe golf cup, wherein at least one visual target is located in or on oneof the top surface and the upper portion of the golf putting practicedevice for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during puttingpractice; and visually focusing on the at least one visual target; andputting a golf ball at the elongate portion in a direction correspondingto the focusing.
 15. A method of advertising at least one of an entity,a product, a service, or an event to golfers, the method comprising:placing logos for an entity, a product, a service, or an event on eachof a plurality of golf putting practice devices, each golf puttingpractice device comprising an upper portion extending upward from abottom of a golf cup and being viewable by a golfer during puttingpractice, a bottom portion for inserting into a socket of the golf cup,a flange being located above the bottom portion and configured to reston the bottom of the golf cup that surrounds the socket and configuredto prevent the bottom portion from extending into the socket beyond apredetermined depth, and a elongate portion for joining the upperportion and the flange and having a diameter less than the diameter ofthe golf cup; and distributing a plurality of the golf putting practicedevices having the logos to golfers.
 16. The method of claim 15 whereinat least one visual target is located in or on one of the top surfaceand the upper portion of the golf putting practice device for providingan area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice.
 17. Themethod of claim 15 wherein placing the logos on each of the golf puttingpractice devices includes placing the logo on at least one of the topsurface and the upper portion of each golf putting practice device.